coggon



Feb. 3,1931. H. F; COGGON 71 APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Filed May 10, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 3, 1931. H. F. COGGON APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Filed May 10, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 3, 1931. H. F. COGGON 1,

\ APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Filed May 10. 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet a Feb. 3, 1931. H. F. COGGON APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Filed May 10. 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 //vv/v me 1? a 87 ATTOR IVE/S.

1931- I H. F. COGGON 1,791,071 -APPARATUS .Fon' FLAYING GAMES F iled May 10, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 3', 1931. CQGGQN 1,791,071

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAKES Filed May 10, 1928 Sheets-Sheet 6 w, ATTUi/YIYJ.

Feb. 3, 1931. H. F. COGGON APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Filed May 10, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Feb. 3, 1931. H. F; COGGON 1,791,071

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Filed May 10, 1928 '9 Sheets-$heet 8 Feb. 3,1931. H. F. COGGON APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Fil ed May 10. 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 llllllllllV l l k l l l I .ll/ llllllllllllllllh- INVf/VI'OR Patented Feb. 3, 1931 (grail ime HARRY FEGW' COGG-ON, 0F HALIFAX, ENGLAND APPARATUS FUR- PLAYING GAIVIES Application filed May 10, 1928, Serial No. 276,735, and in Great Britain May 19, 1927.

.A'to'y has previously been suggested which consists of a number of grooved members adapted to be .connected together and to form a circuitous path, each of these grooved members having a single groove on itsupper surface extending substantially across the whole width of the member so that the ball placed in the groove one end of the toy can be rolled to the other end of the toy, the length of the path being increased as additional members are added to the cir cuit.

A toy railway is also known in which toy trains are adapted to run on rails which are formed in foundation members. In this case however, each foundation member is slightly greater than the width between each pair of rollers forming a single track so that such rails can only be joined together at their ends.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a game whereby a number of tracks are mounted on a foundation member, these tracks being formed in all directions. The foundation member itself may have suflicient tracks thereon to enable the game to be played without the aid of additional foundation members but if desired a number of foundation members may be connected together at their edges to form a greater area over which toy vehicles may be run.

According to the present invention a foundation or base member has tracks formed or mounted thereon consisting of grooves, guides, rails or the like, one or more of which are adapted to intersect one or more edges of the foundation or base member.

Each foundation or base member may consist of one or a plurality of sections so that when these sections are connected together, the guides, grooves, rails or the like intersecting the edges of such sections are adapted to coincide so that a single guide, rail, groove or t e like may be continued over a plurality of sections.

' Each base or' foundation member may be shaped according to a certain section of the map of the British Isles or any other country, town or continent, or further, each foundation member may have a section of such a map formed thereon, whilst the tracks in the form of guides, rails or grooves maybe utilized to indicate routes from town to town or suburb to suburb as the case may be.

Small models of motor vehicles or the like are caused to travel along these grooves. At predetermined points according to the disposition of the roads, further roads represented by grooves or raised portions forming grooves branch therefrom, and as will be readily understood the laying or providing of a sufficient number of grooves. or raised portions forming grooves may result in a network of roadways representative of the particular continent, country or town desired.

Means may be provided at the termini or cross or branch roads to effect the arrest and release of the vehicles, and to also alter the direction of travel of the said vehicles from one road vay to another when desired, as for example by meansof revolvable turntables, by the use of which the vehicles can be turned in uch manner as to face a direction in which it is further desired to travel. Incorporated with, or operating in conjunction with such turntables means are provided to effect the stopping of the vehicles on the turntables, whilst the same are being revolved to suit a particular direction, and further means are provided to enable the vehicle to be released when the desired movements of the turntables have been effected.

lit isnot essential that the revolvable turntables shall be placed at a junction of a series of roads, as in the case of a single road having branch roads leading therefroin'a suitable form of switch may quite effectively be provided in place of and in substitution of the revolvable turntable provided at the junction of a greater number of roads, or alternatively in the case of two roadways crossing each other the groove or raised portions forming such grooves may be provided in known manner as will allow vehicles to pass along and across either road Without the necessity of a turntable or switch. Means are also provided at the end of branch roads to eiiect the arrest of the vehicle.

The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a number of sections joined together to form a map of the British Isles, these sections having routes formed thereon according to the present invention. V

Figure. 2 is a sectional view in elevation showing one form of groove indicating a route on the map.

Figure 3 is a modified form of construction.

Figure 4; is a furthermodificationt Figure 5 is a view showing the employment of angle irons acting as a guide for the vehicles employed in the game.

Figure 6 is a plan view o1 a 'revolvable turntable utilized forchanging direction of the vehicles at crossroads.

Figure 7 is a corresponding sectional elevation.

Figures 8-11 are diagrammatic representations of various positions of the vehicle as it reaches the turntable showing how the change of direction is effected.

Figures 1244 show a construction where the vehicle wheels are adapted to be angularly displaced to steer the vehicle at cross roads, the construction eliminating the necessity of the revolvable turntable'at the crossroads.

7 Figures 1519 show details of an aeroplane and the method by which it is propelled along tracks formed on the base board or foundation member.

Figure 15 is a front elevation.

Figure 16 is a side elevation.

Figure 17 is a plan view.

Figure 18 is a view similar to that of Figure 16 but with the aeroplane in its position of rest at a junction.

A representation of a portion of Great Britain is shown in Figure 1 and consists of a base or foundation member built up of a series of sections or blocks 20 of a number suitable for the particular size of game desired, in the instances shown, nine, suitable securing means, not shown, for holding or clamping the blocks together are provided and may be of any known form. Upon the blocks, and in geographical relation, are situated cities or towns 21 connected together by roadways 22.

Various methods may be employed for constructing these roadways, as for example in Figure 2 the base member 20 is formed with a single groove or depression 23 slightly greater in width than the wheel base or" the vehicle 24 and of a depth sufficient to satisfactorily guide the vehicle.

Instead of a single groove as in Figure 2 parallel grooves for each pair of wheels may be provided as shown in Figure 3, whilst in the case of a base member having incorporated with it raised portions 25 denoting the contour of the country as shown in Figure 4:,

either the wide single grooves or two parallel grooves may form a portion of the means for providing the contour. In the modified form of construction shown in Figure5 angle shaped members 26 are secured to the base member 20 and form raised grooves for the reception of the wheels oftlie vehicle, again these formed grooves may either be situated externally of the vehicle base or. a pair of angle shaped members may be provided, one for each wheel.

Itis obvious thatany 'form of base or foundation member may be used. This may be in the form of a plurality of blocksor sections, the upper surface of which stands out similarly to a relief map. on the other hand the guides, grooves, rails or the like maybeplaced upon an ordinary map having the position of cities, suburbs and'thelike. indicated thereon in anydesirable manner. Further, where grooves are adopted for guiding the toy vehicles, either in the case of grooves having a width equal to a wheel base or parallel grooves each having a width slightly greater than one wheel of the vehicle, the grooves may be mounted in'sections on any foundation member such as a floor of a room.

Referring again tov Figure 1, at each of the'cities or towns shown are provided turntables 27 capable of being rotated by remote controls-28. These turntables, Figures'6 and 7, each consist of a circular plate 29 having a turned up edge 30 and are located in the base members 20 on the plates 27, and capable of moving with said plates are pivotally secured two arms 31 forming a wedge or block, held normally in the position shown by a spring 32. Pivotal-1y secured to. the base 20 is an arm or lever 33 carryinga circular cone shaped member 34 positioned under the two arms 31, whilst atv its other end is secured a cord 35 passing: over a guide pin 36 and attached at its other end to. a lever 37 mounted in a bracket 38 forming the remote control for the function of the cone shaped member as will be later explained.

The rotation of the turntable is eifected in the instance shown by means. of a band 39 passing around a groove 40 on the underside of the plate 29. and again passing around a similar groove on a pulley 28 (see Figure l) situate remotely to the turntable.

On the motor vehicle shown-provision is made to enable the same tobe arrested by contact with the arms of the wedge or-bloclr 31 when desired, and in the instance shown this is accomplishedby making the rear or driving Wheels of a greater width than the front or nondriving wheels, this additional width being denoted by the broken lin 41 in Figure 7, i. 'e., the effective wheel base be tween the inner edges or" the rear wheels is smaller than the corresponding efiective front wheel base.

The operation of the turntable is as follows Assume firstly that it is desired that the vehicleshall pass straight over the turntable from one roadway to another roadway opposite, or substantially opposite, this is etfected as shown in Figure 7 wherein the width of the two arms 31 forming the wedge or block are in their inoperative position i. e., of a width. less than the width of the rear or driving wheels of the vehicle, and correspond to the position of the remote control lever 37 as shown.

If it is desired that the vehicle shall be arrested on the turntable,,the operation of moving over the lever 37 to the position 37a results in the displacement or" the cord connect ing the same with the arm or lever 33, whereupon the arm or lever 33 is swung about its pivot, thereby forcing the cone shaped memher 3 1 between the two arms 31 and causing them also to swing about their pivot against the action of the spring 32 until they are of a greater width than the width between the rear or driving wheels of the vehicle, so that on the vehicle making contact therewith the rear or driving wheels wi l become wedged against the arms 31 and so effect-the arrest of the vehicle as Wlll be apparent;

It the turntable is now revolved bye-the means previously described the vehicle thereon will also be rotated to suit-a desired direction, and should the lever 37 be nowvreturned to its'original osition the cone shaped member 34' on the lever 33 will be returnec to its original position also, whereupon the two arms 31 will be drawn together by the spring 32 and so effect the release of the rear or driving wheel, the vol icle now being free to move in the desired direction.

Having now described the operation or" the turntables situate at the representative cities or towns shown in Figure 1, reference is made to Fi ures 8 to 11 wherein six roadwa s are shown as being equally spaced round a turntable 27, a vehicle 12 indicated by the four wheels in broken line is approaching the turntable from the roadway 43 since, as has already been explained, ifthe two arms 31 forming the wedge are inoperative the vehicle will be capable of passing over the turntable and proceeding along the roadway 14 directly opposite.

Referring to Figure 9 it 1 1S planatory purposes that the assumeo tore remote control 37 eflecting the'operation of the parts forming the wedge 31 have been moved to the potration, that it is desired that the vehicle should proceed along the road 45 the control for the turntable shown in Figure 1 is rotated whereby the said turntable is correspondingly rotated through the band 39 until the front of the vehicle is substantially in. line with the desired roadway as shown in Figure 10, meanwhile the arms 31 of the wedge are still holding the rear or driving wheels of the vehicle from rotating, whereupon if the release operation of the lever 37 controlling the wedge be now made the rear wheels of the vehicle will become'free to rotate and the vehicle proceed along the desired roadway 45 as indicated in Figure'll.

It will be apparent that by providing and operating a suitable number of turntables, crossings or the like having a number of roadways converging therefrom, according to the desired roadways leading from a corresponding number of cities or towns a game'is provided having geographical interest irrespec tive of the interest derived in the operation pi the various turntables, switches and the The details of construction of the various parts so far described maybe varied in many ways, as for example, instead of arresting the motion of the vehicle on the turntable by the action of the wedge or block gripping the inside of the rear or driving wheels the wedge or block may be so constructed as to effect the arresting of thevehicle by gripping from the outside as will be readily understood;

Further, whilst in the previous description ofa practical example of the invention it has been assumed that the propelling means for the vehicle is eiiected by a clockwork motor self contained with the vehicle, it will be apparent that an electricmotor may be substituted, either having its own propelling means in the form of a battery or the like self conained on the vehicle, or alternatively a separate groove or rail be provided in conjunction with a collector on the vehicle, the sup ply of energy being thereby external of the vehicle. a r a v Suitable contacts may also be provided so as to temporarily discontinue the supply of energy to the vehicle whilst the turntable is bein ooerated. Further an suitable means may-be provided to effect the opening or clos ingof .thelevers forming the wedge :onblock on the turntable in substitutionpfor 'thfltlder scribedin the practical example.

In a modified form of construction the de-- tails of wh1ch are descr1bedw1th referenceto.

the vehicle are mounted on stub axles 47 con nected together by a link 48, a pin 49 on the linlr lSengaging in a slot 50 on one arm 51 of a yoke member pivoted at .52 to a fixed part of the frame work of the vehicle. To oneof the remaining arms 51a of the yoke member is attached a spring 53 whose other end is anchored to a fixedpart of the framework of the vehicle, the remaining arm 51?) of the yoke member being connected by means of a flexible lead or Bowden cable. 54 of suitable length to. a remotecontr-ol 54a adapted to be held by the hand of1a person and provided with a finger control 55.

The operation of the control is as fole lows 2- In order to.- causethemodel to be propelled in a straight line without any change of direction the finger control '55 is depressed to half its full extent which causes the wheels to take up a position shown in dotted lines in Figure 13. When however, the cross roads is reached, the finger control iseitner released, whereupon the spring'53 causes the wheels to take up the position shown in full lines in Figure 13which causes the vehicle to turn in one direction, or alternatively the finger COD. trol 55 is completely depressed (Fig. 12) which causesthe wheels to take up theposition on the opposite side of the dotted line position which ensures the vehicle turning in the opposite direction.

It will thus be seen that while the vehicle is travelling along the grooves, the finger control 55 is partly depressed unless the depth of grooves themselvesis sufhcient to cause the;

model vehicle tobe retained therein. hen

the vehicle reaches the ;cross-roads,- the finger control 55 is actuated by either complete depression or release according to whether the vehicle shouldturn either to the right or the left. 7

Suitable stops 66 are provided to limit the extreme movements of singularity of the wheel. Figure 14 illustrates a modified arrangement and provides means suitable for effecting the control of the vehicle, having the front or steering wheels connected by a member 56 pivoted at 57 to the framework of the vehicle. A spring 58 attached at one end and having its other end attached to the framework of the vehicle normally tends to hold the front or steering wheels in the position shown in full line, the remote control 59 having arms which are'displaced' similarly to thearms ofa. pair oftpliers. This device :is adapted to. be held iinithehand ofaperson, and consists of two membersfiO and 60a-pi-.votally connected together, the formerbeing attached to the. core 61 of the flexible connec tion or llowden cable whilst the other meinber is attached to the sheath 62 of=such flexible connection. The operation of the control is as follows the. two members 60 and 160a are caused to be opened out by the pressure of the hand of the person on their arms or shanks 68 and 64 whereupon the core-ofthe flexible connect-ion is displaced-in respect to its sheatlr, resulting; :themem-ber 56 carryr' ing the front or steering wheels being suita bly swung aboutits pivot-.57 .tosuitthe desired direction of travel. Stops 65'attached tov the framework of the-vehicle form limits for the angular displacement :of the wheels.

A further development within the scope of the invention is'provided by substituting mod-elsof aeroplanes, dirigib les or the like, for models of motors or similar'road vehicles previously ascribed. In this development it will be obvious thatthesdisposition of such aeroplanes, dirigibles, or the like, should when in. motion, be located at a height or distance from thebase member, representing, as in the previous example, a continent, county or town, and this .is accomplished by providing rails, grooves, or wires,--forming a track mounted or supported on'posts or standards, suitably attached or secured to the base member. Means are also provided to effect the arrest and release. of the aeroplanes, dirigibles andthe like, say at a junction of a series of representative air-roads or airways, as are also suitable turningmeans for altering the directions of further travel of such models.

One practical example of the development of the invention as above described is shown in Figures 15 to 19, whereby a toyaeroplane 67 having an electric motor 68 self contained, is provided with a propeller 69 attached to the motor in any suitable manner for the propulsion of the model alon grooved rails 70 secured conveniently to posts or standards 71, the lower ends of which are attached to the base member (not shown).

Collectors 72 on the model are adapted to contact with portions of the grooved rails 70, one grooved rail having incorporated with it a further rail 75 to which is attached the positive lead of the electrical energy from the source of supply. 7

This further rail is mounted in insulating material 78 in such a manner as will effectively provide against electrical leakage between itself and the grooved rail 70.

One grooved rail 70 is adapted to be attached to the negative lead of the-electrical energy from the source of supply. Suitable springs 74 are provided on the endsof the collectors toensure closeness of contact.

Attached to the collectors 72 are wires or leads 76 connecting up the circuit of electrical energy with the electrical motor. Rollers or wheels 77 of suitable material are provided to enable the model to be guided, when in motion, along the grooved rails forming the track, as will be apparent.

To effect the arrest of the model at say the junction of a series of air-roads or airways, an arresting medium is provided in the form of a solenoid '4' 8 connected by appropriate means to the source of electrical supply. A core 79 has formed or incorporated with it at one end a plate 80 provided with tapered sides leading to a depression 81 located substantially in the centre of the said plate. The other end of the core is also provided with a flanged end, and between such flanged end and the body of the solenoid a spring is provided so as to normally hold, when the electrical supply is disconnected, the core of the solenoid in the position shown in Figure 16, this position allowing the models to be capable of passing over the plate 80 without contact therewith. When, however, the electrical energy is connected, the core of the solenoid is displaced.

whereupon the plate 80 is caused to be lifted to the position indicated in Figure 18, the

:' spring attached to the core being thereupon compressed.

Incorporated with the model is a projection 82 and it will be obvious thatwhen the electrical energy is connected with the solenoid, the plate 80 thereupon being lifted the projection 82 on the model will, in passing over this plate, first strike the tapered portion, and so materially arrest the progress of the model until the projection 82 becomes located in the depression 81 whereupon the full arrest of the model is eflected.

Meanwhile the electrical energy for the propulsion of the model being still operative, on release of the electrical energy for the solenoid the plate 82 will be returned to the position shown in Figure 16, thereby allow ing the model to proceed under'its own propelling means.

The arresting means as described may be incorporated in the form of a turntable similar in principle as regards the rotating means to that previously described for the car or road vehicle, but instead of being, in the base member, it will be mounted in suitable manner to register with the grooves or rails forming the overhead track for the aeroplane. V

t will be obvious that a clockwork motor may be substituted for the electric motor just described. This motor either being capable of driving the propeller or being con-- nected to the wheels running in the grooves, and in the latter case the arresting and turnmg means in the form of a turntable may be substantially as that described for a road vehicle.

Further,-whilst groove tracks have been mentioned as forming the supporting means for the aeroplane, wire or similar members may quite conveniently be substituted.

I declare that what I claim is:

1. Apparatus for playing a game including a foundation member formed-of a plurality of sections, tracks formed on said sections running in more than one direction, the tracks of one section coinciding at the edges of the section with the tracks formed in an adjacent section, a mechanically propelled toy adapted to pass along said tracks from a 'po- .si'tion in one section to any desired position on any other section of the foundation member and junctlons at various points of said tracks so that said toy may pass from one track to another as desired.

2. Apparatus for playing a game including a foundation member formed of a plurality of sections, tracks formed on said sections running in more than one direction, the tracks of one section coinciding at the edges of the section with the tracks formed on an adjacent section, a mechanically propelled toy adapted to pass along said tracks from a position in one section to any desired position on any other section of. the foundation member, a plurality of junctions at points along said'tracks and means to cause said toy tochange its direction of travel at any of said junctions as desired;

3. Apparatus for playing-7a game including a foundation member, a pluralityof sections adapted to be placed side by side and end to end to form said foundation member, a plurality of tracks on each section, running in more than one direction, the tracks at the edges of one section coinciding with the tracks at the edges of one sectioncoinciding with the 1 tracks at the edges of adjacent sections, a plurality of junctions at points along said tracks, a mechanically propelled toy adapted to travel along said tracks and a rotatable turn table at said junctions in order that said toy maypass from one track to another.

5. Apparatus for playinga game including a foundation member, a plurality of sec tions adapted to be placed side by side and end to end to form said foundation member,

a plurality of trackson'each section running in more than one direction, the tracks'at the edges of one section coinciding with the tracks at the edges of adjacent sections, a plurality of junctions at points along said tracks, a mechanically propelled toy adapted to travel along said'tra'cks, a rOtatableturn table at said junction and'means to stop and r'e-s'tart said toy at said rotatable turn table sotliat said toy may pass from one track to another;

6 Apparatus for playing a game including a foundation member,-a plurality of sections adaptedto be placed sideby side and end' to end to' form "said foundation member, a plurality of tracks on each section running in more than one direction, the tracks at the edgesof'on'esection coinciding with the tracks at the edges-or adjacent sections, a plurality of junctions at points" along said tracks, a meehaniea l-ly propelled toy adapted to" travel along"; said tracks, a rotatable turn table at said junction and means situated adjacent the edged the foundation member for stopping and allowing said toy to restart at said turntable-soth'atsaid'toy'may pass from one track to another.

7.- Ap aratus for playing a game includm e foundation member, a plurality of sections adapted to be placed side by side and end'to end to form said foundation member, aplin'ality of tracks on'each se'ction running in more than one direction, the tracks at the edges of one section coinciding With the tracks at the -ed ge's of adjacent sections, a-plurality or jnnotionsf at points along said tracks, a mechanically propelled toy adapted to travel along said tracks, a rotatable turn table at said junction, means to operate said turn table, said operating means being situated at the extremity of said foundation member, means situated adj acent the edges of the roun'datibn member for stopping and allowing said toyto re-start at said turn table so that said. toy may pass from one track to another:

8; Apparaaus for playing a game consisting of a foundation member formed of a pluor sections placed edge toedge', standards mounted on said sections, rails mounted on saids'tand'ards, a model aeroplane and means forcausing said model aeroplane to travel along-said rails:

9. Apparatus" for playing a game consisti-ng o-fia foundation member formed of a mum-her of sections p'laeededge to edge, a plurality or standards momited upon said sections, rails mounted upon said standards 10: Apparatus for playing a game consisting of a foundation member formed of a number of sections placed edge to edge, a plurality of standards mounted upon said-sections, rails mounted upon said standards to form a number of tracks intercommunieating one With another, a model aeroplane, means to'cause said model aeroplane to travel along said rails, means to connect said tracks so that said model aeroplane travels along an uninterrupted track from one section to another and means for stoppingand re-star t ing said model aeroplane at the junctions of anytivo tracks.

11. Apparatus for playing a game consisting of a foundation member formed of a number of sections placed edge to edge, a plurality of standards mounted upon said sections, rails mounted upon said standards to form a number of tracks intercom'municating one with another, a model aeroplane, means to'cause said model aeroplane to travel along said rails, means to connect said tracks so that said model aeroplane travels along an uninterrupted track from one section to an other, a solenoid situated at the junction of said tracks to arrest the movement of said model aeroplane in" order to effect change of direction or said aeroplane.

In Wit ess whereof, I have hereunto signed my name this 26th day of April, 1928;

HARRY FR GW COGGON.

to form a number-or tracksi'ntercbmmunicating one with another, a model aeroplane, means to cause? said model aeroplane totravel allon'g said rails and means to connect said tracks so that said model aeroplane travels along-an uninterrupted track from one section to another. 

